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Months Long Investigation Ends in Drug Arrest

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After several months of investigating a Salem man has been arrested on charges of dealing drugs.

Carl Ernest Hart, 30, 217 S. Teresa Street, Salem, was arrested on November 5th,  2015 at approximately 11:29am by the Washington County Drug team.

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The arrest led from a several month long drug investigation, according to the Drug Team.  Assisting agencies included:  Salem Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Washington County Prosecutors Office.

Hart was arrested at the above residence for his outstanding warrants, which were three counts of dealing in a narcotic drug, all level 5 felonies.

Hart was transported to the Washington County Detention, and is being held on a $30,000 cash only bond.

 

Three Vehicle Accident In Smedley Sends 91-year-old to UofL

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Campbellsburg First Responders, Washington County EMS, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and Campbellsburg Town Marshall David Nicholson all responded to a three-vehicle crash in Smedley at 6:15am on Wednesday.

According to Deputy Alan Taylor, Harold Elliott, 91, Campbellsburg, was taken by helicopter ambulance to University of Louisville hospital with head trauma.

Elliott was driving a 1997 Dodge Dakota.

James Stalker II, 28, Mitchell, was travelling eastbound on State Road 60 in a 1989 Maroon Toyota pickup, when Elliott pulled out from Smedley Road.

“Stalker tried to swerve around him,” said Taylor. “He couldn’t avoid it.” 11863489_1127805537270035_6241309085739628306_n 12065960_1127805553936700_1154060861711541919_n 12193358_1127805583936697_1158464685709868509_n 12190975_1127805617270027_2676233279764149196_n

Stalker’s vehicle left the road on the north side, drove into a ditch and then crossed 60 to come to a stop on a ridge on the southside.

In a second accident, Terry Pointer, 54, Clarksville, was travelling westbound on 60 and as he approached the accident scene he saw Stalker’s vehicle on the side of the road and looked over.

“I think he was distracted and then hit the rear passenger side of Elliott’s truck,” said Taylor.

Washington County EMS transported both Elliott and Stalker to St. Vincent Hospital where Elliott was flown to Louisville. Stalker was treated for a laceration on his left eye.

Halloween Joy Ride Ends In Crash Into Salem Man’s Front Porch

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Trick or Treating started early for three Washington County teens who stole a local truck, took it for a ride around the county and crashed it into the front porch of a Poplar Street resident early Halloween morning in Salem.

According to Salem Police Officer Ronnie Mays, a 2004 Gray Ford Ranger was stolen from Dawalt Funeral Home Friday evening, Oct. 30. 12202008_10206238464173370_981512163_n

The teens — including a 17-year-old Eastern High School student, and two 13-year-olds from Salem – took the truck for a joy ride around Pekin and Campbellsburg before returning to Salem early Saturday morning, said Mays.

The vehicle belonged to Adam Kelly, and according to Mays, was totaled.

“Apparently he miscalculated his turn from Posey to Poplar Street,” said Mays, and crashed the truck into the front porch of a home belonging to Robert Fletcher, 306 West Poplar.

Mays said both airbags deployed.

“The boys ran and neighbors in the area tried to catch them but couldn’t,” he said. Police were called to the scene a little after 10a on Saturday.

Mays said several people have reported break-ins lately in the area and a vehicle at the Robert Bennett residence next to Dawalt Funeral Home had been burglarized.

“The 17 year old is a slow learner,” said Mays. According to police, the older teen had just spent two years in juvenile detention and had recently been released. He had previously stolen a vehicle belonging to Dr. Kalyn Carty and had crashed it into her yard two years ago.

The driver of the vehicle was not injured, but one of the passengers was taken to the hospital for treatment of a broken finger.

Mays warned residents to not leave anything of value in their vehicle and to keep vehicles parked outside locked when not in use.

The incident remains under investigation.

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I-65 Head-On Crash Sends One to Hospital

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Scott County – On Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at approximately 6:19pm, officers from the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg responded to a report of a Personal Injury crash northbound on I-65 in Scott County near the 27 mile marker.

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A preliminary investigation reveals that a black 2009 Toyota Corolla driven by Charles Oatten, 20, of Westland, Michigan, was traveling southbound on I-65 approaching the 27 mile marker when the vehicle lost control for an unknown reason. The vehicle travelled off the east side of the roadway, crossing over the median and entered the northbound lanes of I-65. The vehicle then struck a northbound 2013 Kenworth Semi-truck driven by Randy Wolke, 58, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota. After striking the semi-truck the vehicle crossed into the right-hand lane and struck the rear tandem wheels of a 2015 Peterbilt driven by Michael Smith, 23, of Indianapolis. The Toyota was pushed north approximately 100 feet and came to rest in the median of I-65.

Charles Oatten was flown to U of L Hospital in Louisville, KY and is currently listed in critical condition. No other drivers were injured in the crash.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. I-65 Northbound is currently closed at the 19 mile marker and traffic is being diverted north on US 31 to Scottsburg.

The Indiana State Police were assisted by units from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, and units from the Scottsburg Fire Department.

St.Vincent Salem to Host Affordable Care Act Information Session

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November 4, 2015 — If you have questions about the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) and the options they may have for insurance beginning in 2016, then plan to attend one of these information sessions at St.Vincent Salem Hospital over the next few months.

Open enrollment begins November 1, 2015 and goes through January 31, 2016. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the average cost of ACA insurance will LOWER in Indiana by more than 12%, the biggest drop across the country! In addition, St. Vincent Salem is now part of the Anthem Marketplace Plan. In 2016, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent is the only “in network” children’s hospital in Indiana in the Anthem Marketplace.affordable-helath-care-act-weight-loss-surgery

Licensed Indiana Navigators will be available to do on-site screenings to see if a potential applicant may qualify for Medicaid first, then will assess them for the Health Insurance Marketplace plans and help guide them through their available options.  **Licensed Indiana Navigators have the responsibility of remaining neutral when advising people about their options; they will present all of the available options to the individual, then leave it to the person to make their own choice about which insurance carrier and plan they wish to choose, if Representatives from various managed care organizations will be on hand to assist with specific questions about their plans which are being offered in Washington County and surrounding counties where people may see specialists or other providers.

Sessions are:

Wednesday November 11th 9a-11a

Monday November 16th 11a-1p

Monday November 23rd 3p-5p

Wednesday December 2nd 3p-5p

Wednesday December 16th 9a-11a

Wednesday December 9th 3p-5p

Wednesday December 30th 11a-1p

Wednesday January 6th 3p-5p

Wednesday January 13th 4p-6p

Wednesday January 20th 9a-11a

Thursday January 28th 11a-2p

St.Vincent Salem Hospital Golf Scramble Raises Funds for Renovations

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The Hospital Foundation of Washington County, Inc. hosted a golf scramble on Friday, September 11 at Hidden Creek Golf Club in Sellersburg, IN to raise funds for renovations for St.Vincent Salem Hospital.

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The Winning Team in the St. Vincent Golf Scramble – Brent Deckard, Brad Philpott, Joe Philpott and Dustin Easton posing with D. Jack Mahuron.

“The golf outing raised over $6,000 to go toward hospital renovations such as flooring,” said D. Jack Mahuron, Foundation Board President. “We certainly appreciate the generosity of our sponsors and donors, as well as the generosity of the participants.”

The team from Salem Crossing, which included Brent Deckard, Brad Philpott, Joe Philpott and Dustin Easton, came in first place. J & J Transportation’s team came in second place and the team from First Savings Bank came in third place.

“The Hospital Foundation has been able to assist with several projects at the hospital over the past several years,” said Dana Muntz, hospital CEO and Vice-President of the Foundation. “They have provided funds to renovate our inpatient nurses station, as well as cafeteria and classroom. Fundraisers like the golf outing will ensure the Foundation is able to help the hospital for many years to come.”

Corporate Sponsors for this years’ event were: First Harrison Bank, Salem Crossing, St.Vincent Salem Hospital, Washington County Medical Association and WSLM Radio.

Hole Sponsors were: Premier Care, Bowling Cabinets, John Jones Auto Group, Gene F. Hedrick, DDS, Henry Smither Roofing, Temple & Temple Excavating & Paving, Washington County Community Foundation and RJE Business Interiors.

In addition, many local businesses and individuals sponsored teams and donated items for the Silent Auction that took place during the golf outing. Next years’ golf outing will be held on September 9 at Hidden Creek Golf Course.

Anyone interested in forming a team should contact Melissa Richardson, Foundation Secretary at 812-883-5881 ext. 1366.

 

Salem Election Precinct Breakdown

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Here is a breakdown by precincts in the City of Salem election.

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CITY OF SALEM MAYOR

Lookng at the Mayor’s race, in Precinct 1, candidates Ron Haendiges and Troy Merry captured the same number of early votes at 23 each. Haendiges took 120 election day votes compared to Merry’s 90 votes.

In Precinct 2, Haendiges picked up 25 early votes and Merry took in 43. Also, Merry won the election day votes in that precinct, 126-114.

In Precinct 3, Haendiges received only 27 early votes compared to Merry’s 39 early votes. However, Haendiges won in the election day votes by 3 votes, 148-145.

In Precinct 4, Haendiges took 40 early votes compared to Merry’s 60 and Haendiges edged Merry by 12 votes in the election day voting, 147-135.

Overall, Merry captured 40 more early votes than Haendiges and only one precinct – Precinct 2 in which Merry bested Haendiges by 12 votes, 126-114.

In election day voting, Haendiges beat Merry by 33 votes.

Precinct 1

City of Salem Mayor

  • Ron Haendiges – Early Votes 23
  • Ron Haendiges – Election Day Votes – 120
  • Troy Merry – Early Votes – 23
  • Troy Merry – Election Day Votes – 90

 

City of Salem Clerk Treasurer

Precinct 2

City of Salem Mayor

  • Ron Haendiges – Early Votes 25
  • Ron Haendiges – Election Day Votes – 114
  • Troy Merry – Early Votes – 43
  • Troy Merry – Election Day Votes – 126

 

Precinct 3

City of Salem Mayor

  • Ron Haendiges – Early Votes 27
  • Ron Haendiges – Election Day Votes – 148
  • Troy Merry – Early Votes – 39
  • Troy Merry – Election Day Votes – 145

 

Precinct 4

City of Salem Mayor

  • Ron Haendiges – Early Votes 40
  • Ron Haendiges – Election Day Votes – 147
  • Troy Merry – Early Votes – 60
  • Troy Merry – Election Day Votes -135

 

CITY OF SALEM CLERK/TREASURER

Delving into the Clerk/Treasurer’s race, Sally Hattabaugh, former manager of the State Bank of Salem/Regions Bank won the election by a narrow margin to former Washington County Treasurer and County Commissioner Kevin Stewart.

Looking at Precinct 1, Hattabaugh earned 10 more early votes than Stewart and earned one more election day vote.

In Precinct 2, Hattabaugh earned 17 fewer early votes than Stewart — 26 to 43. Hattabaugh earned five more election day votes in this precinct than Stewart — 123 – 118.

In Precinct 3, Stewart won both the early and election voting with totals of 37 early votes to Hattabaugh’s 29. In election day votes, Stewart took 10 more than Hattabaugh, 151 to 141.

In Precinct 4, Hattabaugh took 54 early votes, compared to Stewart’s 46. In the election day voting, Hattabaugh earned 154 to Stewart’s 129 which allowed her to win.

 

Precinct 1

City of Salem Clerk Treasurer

  • Sally Hattabaugh – Early Votes – 28
  • Sally Hattabaugh- Election Day Votes – 105
  • Kevin Stewart – Early Votes – 18
  • Kevin Stewart – Election Day Votes -104

 

Precinct 2

City of Salem Clerk Treasurer

  • Sally Hattabaugh – Early Votes – 26
  • Sally Hattabaugh- Election Day Votes – 123
  • Kevin Stewart – Early Votes – 43
  • Kevin Stewart – Election Day Votes -118

 

Precinct 3

City of Salem Clerk Treasurer

  • Sally Hattabaugh – Early Votes 29
  • Sally Hattabaugh- Election Day Votes – 141
  • Kevin Stewart – Early Votes – 37
  • Kevin Stewart – Election Day Votes -151

 

Precinct 4

City of Salem Clerk Treasurer

  • Sally Hattabaugh – Early Votes 54
  • Sally Hattabaugh- Election Day Votes – 154
  • Kevin Stewart – Early Votes – 46
  • Kevin Stewart – Election Day Votes -129

 

 

Merry is Mayor; Hattabaugh is Clerk/Treasurer in City Election

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On a perfect weather day for an election, almost as many voters voted early as turned out to the polls tipping the scales by only 23 votes — giving Salem Police Chief Troy Merry, 46, the win as new City of Salem Mayor, defeating City Councilman and State Farm Agent Ron Haendiges, 661 to 644.

The tally is unofficial until Nov. 16.

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Newly elected Mayor of Salem, Troy Merry.
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Republican Sally Hattabaugh is the new Clerk/Treasurer for the City of Salem
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Troy Merry’s wife, Candace, is the new First Lady of Salem.

“I’m excited,” said Merry at the Washington County Courthouse. “I’m tired but excited. I’m ready to get to work.”

Merry has served as Police Chief for the past four years and has been on the police force for the past 17 years. He is also the pastor of Walnut Grove Christian Church. He has been married to Candace Merry for 24 years and is a life resident of Salem.

Haendiges received 115 early votes with Merry receiving 165 early votes. Actual votes today, Haendiges received 529 votes and Merry received 496 votes.

In the race for City Clerk/Treasurer Republican Sally Hattabaugh defeated Democrat Kevin Stewart, 660 to 646 – only 14 votes.

“I’m feeling a little overwhelmed,” said Hattabaugh. “That was a little too close for comfort. I look forward to helping the city in the best way possible.”

Hattabaugh received 137 early votes and Stewart took 144 early votes. Today, Hattabaugh received 523 votes and Steward tallied 502 votes.

IN OTHER RACES

For the City Council races, two were uncontested — Justin Green  who received 196 early votes and 813 votes today for a total of 1009 votes.  Warren “Truck” Jones was the other uncontested council member and received 43 early votes and 171 votes today for a total of 214 votes.

Republican Incumbent Dan Libka easily kept his seat for City Council District 1 with 156 votes compared to Democrat challenger John Smedley who earned 100 votes.

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Libka had 25 early votes and 131 votes today. Smedley had 21 early votes and 79 votes today.

Republican and Salem Schools 5th Grade teacher Steven Crane defeated former city council member and Democrat Leslie Gilbert Leis, 186 to 169. Crane took 35 early votes and 151 votes today. Leis received 30 early votes and 139 votes today.

Democrat incumbent Wally Terkhorn won his City Council District 4 seat back with a 236 to 143 win over Republican newcomber Jim Snelling.  Snelling had 26 early votes and 117 votes today. Terkhorn had 75 early votes and 161 votes in today’s election.

Officials will take office on January 1, 2016

 

Chamber Nominations for Citizen, Business and Youth of the Year

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The Washington County Chamber of Commerce has announced the nominees of Citizen of the Year, Emerging Youth of the Year and Business of the Year and will award winners at the Annual Dinner, on Nov. 7 at Southern Hills Church.

The event will begin at 5 pm with the Eddie Gilstrap Mock Tail Hour, followed by a game, dinner, awards and auction.

Tickets for the dinner are available at the Chamber Office, 201 E Market St., Salem.

Additional information is available at info@washingtoncountychamber.org or 812-883-4303.

The nominees are:

Emerging Youth Entrepreneur:

  • Ezra Kahl
  • Nicholas Weymouth

 

Business of the Year:

  • Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corp.
  • Kimball Office Salem
  • Linck’s Clothing and Shoes
  • Turtlefish Clothing Company LLC
  • Salem Crossing
  • Papa John’s
  • Salem Media (WSLM & WRLW)

 

Citizen of the Year:

  • Rebecca White
  • Tina Sorrels
  • Brian Albertson
  • Henry “Hank” Jacoby

It Is Finished – SR 56 Reconstruction Deemed Completed

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According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, Temple and Temple, the state’s contractor for the $4.2 million State Road 56 reconstruction project from High Street to Heritage Chapel Road completed paving operations on Monday.

Barricades have been pulled back, all lanes are open and traffic flow has been normalized. Temple & Temple will continue grading slopes and working in shoulder areas.

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These operations will be done under traffic during daytime hours.  When necessary, flaggers will be on site to direct motorists around crews and equipment.  

Kimball Boulevard reconstruction/realignment considerations remain under discussion. INDOT will be meeting with City officials on Wednesday to discuss these and other issues with the project.   

The INDOT project at Salem has completely rebuilt S.R. 56 within the city’s corporate limits—including new sidewalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, retaining walls and storm sewers.  

In Washington County, S.R. 56 has been repaired and resurfaced with shoulders widened, passing blisters constructed and drainage structures replaced.

Permanent pavement markings will be placed soon.